Ambassador Andrey I. Denisov of Russia – which sponsored the resolution along with the People's Republic of China, France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States – stressed there was a need to improve the legal and other operational instruments to combat terrorism and terrorist organizations that are expert at changing their tactics depending on the situation. "We are convinced that the resolution further strengthens the essential coordinating role of the United Nations in the international campaign against the terrorist threat," he said.
Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom, which held the Council's rotating presidency in October 2004, said that the 15-member body "reaffirmed their view that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed." Ambassador Jones Parry also said that text reaffirmed the UN's central role in the fight against terrorism as well as the Council's determination "to stand together in confronting the scourge of terrorism."
U.S. Ambassador John Danforth said root causes in no way justified terrorism. "The resolution which we have adopted states very simply that the deliberate massacre of innocents is never justifiable in any cause – never." He added that "Some claim that exploding bombs in the midst of children is in the service of God," but that such an act "is the ultimate blasphemy."
The resolution came days after terrorist attacks in Pakistan, Egypt, and the beheading of a British hostage Kenneth Bigley in Iraq, all of which were considered the work of Al-Qaeda.[5] It was also the culmination of anti-terrorism diplomatic efforts by Russia following the Beslan school massacre.[6]